Thermistor Emulating CT Clamp

ABSTRACT

A heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system with a thermostat operable to receive, process, and display power consumption information received via a thermistor input of the thermostat. The thermostat receives power consumption information from a measurement device in communication with the thermostat via a wired interface and the thermistor input, wherein the measurement device comprises a clamp portion positionable about an electric conductor, a measurement portion, and a conditioning component.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/021,340 filed on Jul. 7, 2014 by Klein, et al., and entitled “Thermistor Emulating CT Clamp,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND

Thermostats used in heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) systems may comprise one or more thermistor inputs. These thermistor inputs may receive and process temperature information as a resistance measurement from remote thermistors. For example, a remote thermistor may be used to detect the temperature of a remote location and communicate this temperature reading to the thermostat. The thermistor input(s) may be configured to receive resistance measurements and the thermostat may be operable to receive and process the resistance measurements as temperature readings.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments of the disclosure, a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system is disclosed as comprising: a thermostat comprising at least one thermistor input; a measurement device in communication with the thermistor input of the thermostat, the measurement device having a clamp portion and a measurement portion, the clamp portion positioned about an electrical conductor to promote the measurement, by the measurement portion, of an electric current of the electric conductor; and a conditioning component configured to convert the measured electric current, from the measurement portion, to resistance measurable by the thermostat, via the thermistor input, the thermostat having logic and a display to display information related to the measured electric current based on the converted resistance.

In other embodiments of the disclosure, a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system is disclosed as comprising: a measurement system having a clamp portion configured to be positionable about an electric conductor; a measurement portion configured to measure electric current from the electric conductor; and a conditioning component configured to convert the measured electric current to resistance for output to a 10 k thermistor input; wherein the measurement system is operable to communicate the resistance to a thermistor input of a thermostat.

In yet other embodiments of the disclosure, a thermostat is disclosed as comprising: at least one thermistor input; logic to receive and process resistance measurements via the at least one thermistor input; and a display operable to present information communicated via the thermistor input; wherein the thermostat is operable, via the logic and display, to process and display resistance measurements to indicate power consumption for at least a portion of a structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following brief description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and detailed description:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an HVAC system according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an HVAC system according to another embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an HVAC system according to yet another embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method of retrofitting an HVAC system;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method of operating an HVAC system; and

FIG. 6 is a simplified representation of a general-purpose processor (e.g. electronic controller or computer) system suitable for implementing the embodiments of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the disclosure may comprise a thermostat, operable to receive and process information via a thermistor input of the thermostat, wherein the information may be received from a thermistor or another measurement device or system. Other embodiments may comprise a measurement system, operable to communicate with a thermostat, wherein the measurement system measures electricity used by a structure and/or HVAC system. For example, a measurement system may comprise a clamp portion, which may be positioned about an electric conductor. In some embodiments, the electric conductor may comprise the electricity input to the structure and/or HVAC system. Additionally, the measurement system may comprise a measurement portion configured to measure electric current from the electric conductor, as well as a conditioning component configured to convert the measured electric current to resistance for output to a 10 k thermistor input, such as the thermistor input of a thermostat. Before further details are described, a brief overview of HVAC systems and operations is provided.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a schematic diagram of an HVAC system 100 according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown. HVAC system 100 comprises an indoor unit 102, an outdoor unit 104, and a system controller 106. In some embodiments, the system controller 106 may operate to control operation of the indoor unit 102 and/or the outdoor unit 104. As shown, the HVAC system 100 is a so-called heat pump system that may be selectively operated to implement one or more substantially closed thermodynamic refrigeration cycles to provide a cooling functionality and/or a heating functionality.

Indoor unit 102 comprises an indoor heat exchanger 108, an indoor fan 110, and an indoor metering device 112. Indoor heat exchanger 108 is a plate fin heat exchanger configured to allow heat exchange between refrigerant carried within internal tubing of the indoor heat exchanger 108 and fluids that contact the indoor heat exchanger 108 but that are kept segregated from the refrigerant. In other embodiments, indoor heat exchanger 108 may comprise a spine fin heat exchanger, a microchannel heat exchanger, or any other suitable type of heat exchanger.

The indoor fan 110 is a centrifugal blower comprising a blower housing, a blower impeller at least partially disposed within the blower housing, and a blower motor configured to selectively rotate the blower impeller. In other embodiments, the indoor fan 110 may comprise a mixed-flow fan and/or any other suitable type of fan. The indoor fan 110 is configured as a modulating and/or variable speed fan capable of being operated at many speeds over one or more ranges of speeds. In other embodiments, the indoor fan 110 may be configured as a multiple speed fan capable of being operated at a plurality of operating speeds by selectively electrically powering different ones of multiple electromagnetic windings of a motor of the indoor fan 110. In yet other embodiments, the indoor fan 110 may be a single speed fan.

The indoor metering device 112 is an electronically controlled motor driven electronic expansion valve (EEV). In alternative embodiments, the indoor metering device 112 may comprise a thermostatic expansion valve, a capillary tube assembly, and/or any other suitable metering device. The indoor metering device 112 may comprise and/or be associated with a refrigerant check valve and/or refrigerant bypass for use when a direction of refrigerant flow through the indoor metering device 112 is such that the indoor metering device 112 is not intended to meter or otherwise substantially restrict flow of the refrigerant through the indoor metering device 112.

Outdoor unit 104 comprises an outdoor heat exchanger 114, a compressor 116, an outdoor fan 118, an outdoor metering device 120, and a reversing valve 122. Outdoor heat exchanger 114 is a spine fin heat exchanger configured to allow heat exchange between refrigerant carried within internal passages of the outdoor heat exchanger 114 and fluids that contact the outdoor heat exchanger 114 but that are kept segregated from the refrigerant. In other embodiments, outdoor heat exchanger 114 may comprise a plate fin heat exchanger, a microchannel heat exchanger, or any other suitable type of heat exchanger.

The compressor 116 is a multiple speed scroll type compressor configured to selectively pump refrigerant at a plurality of mass flow rates. In alternative embodiments, the compressor 116 may comprise a modulating compressor capable of operation over one or more speed ranges, the compressor 116 may comprise a reciprocating type compressor, the compressor 116 may be a single speed compressor, and/or the compressor 116 may comprise any other suitable refrigerant compressor and/or refrigerant pump.

The outdoor fan 118 is an axial fan comprising a fan blade assembly and fan motor configured to selectively rotate the fan blade assembly. In other embodiments, the outdoor fan 118 may comprise a mixed-flow fan, a centrifugal blower, and/or any other suitable type of fan and/or blower. The outdoor fan 118 is configured as a modulating and/or variable speed fan capable of being operated at many speeds over one or more ranges of speeds. In other embodiments, the outdoor fan 118 may be configured as a multiple speed fan capable of being operated at a plurality of operating speeds by selectively electrically powering different ones of multiple electromagnetic windings of a motor of the outdoor fan 118. In yet other embodiments, the outdoor fan 118 may be a single speed fan.

The outdoor metering device 120 is a thermostatic expansion valve. In alternative embodiments, the outdoor metering device 120 may comprise an electronically controlled motor driven EEV, a capillary tube assembly, and/or any other suitable metering device. The outdoor metering device 120 may comprise and/or be associated with a refrigerant check valve and/or refrigerant bypass for use when a direction of refrigerant flow through the outdoor metering device 120 is such that the outdoor metering device 120 is not intended to meter or otherwise substantially restrict flow of the refrigerant through the outdoor metering device 120.

The reversing valve 122 is a so-called four-way reversing valve. The reversing valve 122 may be selectively controlled to alter a flow path of refrigerant in the HVAC system 100 as described in greater detail below. The reversing valve 122 may comprise an electrical solenoid or other device configured to selectively move a component of the reversing valve 122 between operational positions.

The system controller 106 may comprise a touchscreen interface for displaying information and for receiving user inputs. The system controller 106 may display information related to the operation of the HVAC system 100 and may receive user inputs related to operation of the HVAC system 100. However, the system controller 106 may further be operable to display information and receive user inputs tangentially and/or unrelated to operation of the HVAC system 100. In some embodiments, the system controller 106 may comprise a temperature sensor and may further be configured to control heating and/or cooling of zones associated with the HVAC system 100. In some embodiments, the system controller 106 may be configured as a thermostat for controlling supply of conditioned air to zones associated with the HVAC system 100. In some embodiments, the system controller 106 may comprise at least one thermistor input 107.

In some embodiments, the system controller 106 may selectively communicate with an indoor controller 124 of the indoor unit 102, with an outdoor controller 126 of the outdoor unit 104, and/or with other components of the HVAC system 100. In some embodiments, the system controller 106 may be configured for selective bidirectional communication over a communication bus 128. In some embodiments, portions of the communication bus 128 may comprise a three-wire connection suitable for communicating messages between the system controller 106 and one or more of the HVAC system 100 components configured for interfacing with the communication bus 128. Still further, the system controller 106 may be configured to selectively communicate with HVAC system 100 components and/or other device 130 via a communication network 132. In some embodiments, the communication network 132 may comprise a telephone network and the other device 130 may comprise a telephone. In some embodiments, the communication network 132 may comprise the Internet and the other device 130 may comprise a so-called smartphone and/or other Internet enabled mobile telecommunication device.

In some embodiments, the communication network 132 may provide communication between the system controller 106 and a Home Intelligence System 131. The Home Intelligence System 131 may comprise a communication system between multiple devices in a home, such as a keypad lock, a camera system, a lighting system, as well as personal devices, such as computers and mobile devices.

The system controller 106 may also be configured to communicate with other Internet sites 129. Such other data providers (ODPs) 129 may provide current time and energy and/or resource cost data of the energy and/or resource suppliers for HVAC system 100. For example, system controller 106 may communicate with a local energy provider to retrieve current energy cost data.

The indoor controller 124 may be configured to receive information inputs, transmit information outputs, and otherwise communicate with the system controller 106, the outdoor controller 126, and/or any other device via the communication bus 128 and/or any other suitable medium of communication. In some embodiments, the indoor controller 124 may be configured to communicate with an indoor personality module 134, receive information related to a speed of the indoor fan 110, transmit a control output to an electric heat relay, transmit information regarding an indoor fan 110 volumetric flow-rate, communicate with and/or otherwise affect control over an air cleaner 136, and communicate with an indoor EEV controller 138. In some embodiments, the indoor controller 124 may be configured to communicate with an indoor fan controller 142 and/or otherwise affect control over operation of the indoor fan 110. In some embodiments, the indoor personality module 134 may comprise information related to the identification and/or operation of the indoor unit 102 and/or a position of the outdoor metering device 120.

In some embodiments, the indoor EEV controller 138 may be configured to receive information regarding temperatures and pressures of the refrigerant in the indoor unit 102. More specifically, the indoor EEV controller 138 may be configured to receive information regarding temperatures and pressures of refrigerant entering, exiting, and/or within the indoor heat exchanger 108. Further, the indoor EEV controller 138 may be configured to communicate with the indoor metering device 112 and/or otherwise affect control over the indoor metering device 112.

The outdoor controller 126 may be configured to receive information inputs, transmit information outputs, and otherwise communicate with the system controller 106, the indoor controller 124, and/or any other device via the communication bus 128 and/or any other suitable medium of communication. In some embodiments, the outdoor controller 126 may be configured to communicate with an outdoor personality module 140 that may comprise information related to the identification and/or operation of the outdoor unit 104. In some embodiments, the outdoor controller 126 may be configured to receive information related to an ambient temperature associated with the outdoor unit 104, information related to a temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 114, and/or information related to refrigerant temperatures and/or pressures of refrigerant entering, exiting, and/or within the outdoor heat exchanger 114 and/or the compressor 116. In some embodiments, the outdoor controller 126 may be configured to transmit information related to monitoring, communicating with, and/or otherwise affecting control over the outdoor fan 118, a compressor sump heater, a solenoid of the reversing valve 122, a relay associated with adjusting and/or monitoring a refrigerant charge of the HVAC system 100, a position of the indoor metering device 112, and/or a position of the outdoor metering device 120. The outdoor controller 126 may further be configured to communicate with a compressor drive controller 144 that is configured to electrically power and/or control the compressor 116.

The HVAC system 100 is shown configured for operating in a so-called cooling mode in which heat is absorbed by refrigerant at the indoor heat exchanger 108 and heat is rejected from the refrigerant at the outdoor heat exchanger 114. In some embodiments, the compressor 116 may be operated to compress refrigerant and pump the relatively high temperature and high pressure compressed refrigerant from the compressor 116 to the outdoor heat exchanger 114 through the reversing valve 122 and to the outdoor heat exchanger 114. As the refrigerant is passed through the outdoor heat exchanger 114, the outdoor fan 118 may be operated to move air into contact with the outdoor heat exchanger 114, thereby transferring heat from the refrigerant to the air surrounding the outdoor heat exchanger 114. The refrigerant may primarily comprise liquid phase refrigerant and the refrigerant may be pumped from the outdoor heat exchanger 114 to the indoor metering device 112 through and/or around the outdoor metering device 120 which does not substantially impede flow of the refrigerant in the cooling mode. The indoor metering device 112 may meter passage of the refrigerant through the indoor metering device 112 so that the refrigerant downstream of the indoor metering device 112 is at a lower pressure than the refrigerant upstream of the indoor metering device 112. The pressure differential across the indoor metering device 112 allows the refrigerant downstream of the indoor metering device 112 to expand and/or at least partially convert to gaseous phase. The gaseous phase refrigerant may enter the indoor heat exchanger 108. As the refrigerant is passed through the indoor heat exchanger 108, the indoor fan 110 may be operated to move air into contact with the indoor heat exchanger 108, thereby transferring heat to the refrigerant from the air surrounding the indoor heat exchanger 108. The refrigerant may thereafter reenter the compressor 116 after passing through the reversing valve 122.

To operate the HVAC system 100 in the so-called heating mode, the reversing valve 122 may be controlled to alter the flow path of the refrigerant, the indoor metering device 112 may be disabled and/or bypassed, and the outdoor metering device 120 may be enabled. In the heating mode, refrigerant may flow from the compressor 116 to the indoor heat exchanger 108 through the reversing valve 122, the refrigerant may be substantially unaffected by the indoor metering device 112, the refrigerant may experience a pressure differential across the outdoor metering device 120, the refrigerant may pass through the outdoor heat exchanger 114, and the refrigerant may reenter the compressor 116 after passing through the reversing valve 122. Most generally, operation of the HVAC system 100 in the heating mode reverses the roles of the indoor heat exchanger 108 and the outdoor heat exchanger 114 as compared to their operation in the cooling mode.

In some embodiments, the system 100 may comprise an electricity input conductor 156, wherein the input may go through a meter 152 to a breaker or circuit box 150. The electricity input 156 may provide electricity for an entire structure that contains the HVAC system 100. The meter 152 may be used to monitor the amount of electricity throughput to the structure and/or system 100. The breaker box 150 may control separate areas of the structure, wherein the HVAC system 100 may comprise one or more of the separate areas. Additionally, the outdoor controller 126 of the outdoor unit 104 may receive electricity via a disconnect box 154, allowing the electricity to the outdoor unit 104 to be controlled separately from the rest of the system 100.

In some embodiments, it may be desired to monitor the electricity used by the structure and/or the HVAC system 100. To accomplish this, a measurement device 160 may be positioned to measure the electric current of the electricity input conductor 156 to the structure and/or system 100. In some embodiments, the measurement device 160 may comprise a clamp portion 161 and a measurement portion 162. The clamp portion 161, in some embodiments, may be a “CT-clamp” (current transformer clamp) type clamp or other device similarly capable of measuring the electric current. The clamp portion 161 may be positioned about the electrical conductor 156, wherein the clamp portion 161 promotes the measurement, by the measurement portion 162, of an electric current of the electric conductor 156. The electric current measured from the electric conductor 156 may indicate power consumption for at least a portion of the structure and/or HVAC system 100. The measurement device 160 may be in communication with the thermistor input 107 of the system controller (or thermostat) 106 via a wired interface 175.

The thermistor input 107 of the thermostat 106 may be configured to receive resistance measurements, which may then be read and processed by the thermostat 106. In some embodiments, the measurement device 160 may communicate with the thermistor input 107 via a conditioning component 163. The conditioning component 163 may contain circuitry and be programmed to be operable to convert the electric current measured by the measurement device 160 to a resistance which may be measureable by the thermostat 106 via the thermistor input 107. In some embodiments, the measurement portion 162 of the measurement device 160 and the conditioning component 163 may be contained within the same housing, wherein it may be said that the measurement device 160 comprises a conditioning component 163. In some embodiments, the output of the conditioning component 163 may be a voltage range that mimics a 10 k thermistor.

In some embodiments, the thermostat 106 may comprise software capable of interpreting and processing the input from the conditioning component 163. Additionally, the thermostat 106 may display the information communicated from the conditioning component 163, wherein the information may relate to power consumption for at least a portion of the structure and/or HVAC system 100. In some embodiments, the power consumption may be displayed as instantaneous consumption, as measured by the measurement device 160. In other embodiments, the power consumption may be displayed as cumulative over a time period, such as a month or a year.

In some embodiments, a single measurement device 160 and conditioning component 163, while in other embodiments, multiple measurement devices 160 and conditioning components 163 may be used in the system 100. In some embodiments, the thermistor input 107 may be operable to receive only one input from a conditioning component 163, while in other embodiments, the thermistor input 107 may be operable to receive multiple inputs. For example, the thermistor input 107 may comprise multiple inputs to the thermostat 106. In some embodiments, the measurement device 160 and conditioning component 163 may be attached to the electric conductor 156 before the meter 152, as described above. In other embodiments, the measurement device 160 and conditioning component 163 may be attached to the electric conductor 156 at another location, such as after the meter 152 and before the breaker box 150. This embodiment is shown by measurement device 164, comprising clamp portion 165 and measurement portion 166, and conditioning component 167, wherein the measurement device 164 and conditioning component 167 may communicate with the thermistor input 107 via a wired interface 176.

Additionally, in some embodiments, a measurement device 168 and conditioning component 171 may be used to measure the electric current for the outdoor unit 104 of the HVAC system 100, wherein the clamp portion 169 of the measurement device 168 may be positioned about the electric conductor 157 for the disconnect box 154 in communication with the outdoor unit 104. The measurement device 168 and conditioning component 171 may communicate with the thermistor input 107 of the thermostat 106 via a wired interface 177. In some embodiments, the clamp portion 169 may be positioned about the electric conductor 157 between the disconnect box 154 and the outdoor controller 126, while in other embodiments, the clamp portion 169 may be positioned about the electric conductor 157 at the input of electricity to the disconnect box 154. By measuring the electric current for only the outdoor unit 104, the power consumption of only the outdoor unit 104 of the system 100 may be monitored. This may be helpful in monitoring the efficiency of the outdoor unit 104 of the system 100. Additionally, the outdoor unit 104 may consume a large percentage of the total power consumption for the system 100, making it a good representation of the total power consumption.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, multiple clamp portions 204 may be positioned about a plurality of circuits within the breaker/circuit box 150, wherein the plurality of circuits control electricity throughput to different areas within the structure and/or HVAC system 100. In some embodiments, the multiple clamp portions 204 may each communicate with separate measurement portions 206 and separate conditioning components 208. In other embodiments, the electric current from each of the clamp portions 204 may be measured by a single measurement portion 206 and conditioned by a single conditioning component 208 and then communicated to the thermostat 106 via a wired interface 210 and the thermistor input 107, wherein the thermostat 106 may be operable to receive and process the output from the conditioning component 208 as multiple power consumption measurements from the multiple clamp portions 204.

The thermostat 106 may comprise software operable to receive and process the inputs via the thermistor input 107 from any of the measurement devices 160 and conditioning components 163. In some embodiments, a single power consumption measurement may be received, processed, and displayed by the thermostat 106, wherein the single power consumption measurement may represent power consumption for the entire structure or a portion of the structure, such as the HVAC system 100 or a portion of the HVAC system 100. In other embodiments, the thermostat 106 may be operable to receive, process, and display multiple power consumption measurements via one or more thermistor input 107. For example, the thermostat 106 may be operable to receive, process, and display a power consumption measurement for the entire structure as well as just the power consumption for the HVAC system 100, and/or a portion of the HVAC system 100. Additionally, the thermostat 106 may be operable to receive, process, and display a power consumption measurement for multiple circuits within the dwelling, such as kitchen appliances, wall outlets in the dwelling, specific areas or rooms of the dwelling, etc.

In some embodiments, a power consumption measurement may be displayed by the thermostat 106 as instantaneous consumption as measured by the measurement device 160. In other embodiments, the power consumption may be displayed as cumulative over a time period, such as a month or a year. In some embodiments, the power consumption measurement may be displayed in kilowatt hours or kilowatt hours per year. In some embodiments, the power consumption measurement may be displayed as a price estimate based on a cost per kilowatt hour, wherein the thermostat 106 may communicate with a local energy provider to retrieve current energy cost data.

In some embodiments, a measurement device 160 and conditioning component 163 may be retrofitted to an existing HVAC system 100 comprising a thermostat 106 with a thermistor input 107. Referring now to FIG. 3, a remote thermistor 302 may be in communication with the thermostat via the thermistor input 107. The remote thermistor 302 may be removed from the system 100 by removing the connection between the remote thermistor 302 and the thermistor input 107 of the thermostat 106. Then, the wired interface 175 from the conditioning component 163 and measurement device 160 may be attached to the thermistor input 107 of the thermostat 106. Additionally, the software of the thermostat 106 may be upgraded to receive, process, and display the input from the conditioning component 163. In alternative embodiments, a measurement device 160 and conditioning component 163 may be used in combination with a remote thermistor 302, wherein the thermostat 106 may comprise multiple thermistor inputs 107.

As described above the thermostat 106 may be operable to communicate with a Home Intelligence System 131 via the communication network 132. In some embodiments, the thermostat 106 may communicate power consumption information to the Home Intelligence System 131, wherein the power consumption information may be stored, monitored and possibly analyzed by a computer within the Home Intelligence System 131. For example, the energy provider may have access to the information and may be able to monitor the power consumption for different areas of the structure as well as the total consumption of the structure. Additionally, the power consumption information may be accessed and possibly analyzed by a user via a computer or mobile device in communication with the Home Intelligence System 131. This may be useful to monitor efficiency and possibly identify issues with an area of the structure if the power consumption measurement is abnormal.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a flowchart of a method 400 of retrofitting an HVAC system such as HVAC system 100 is shown. The method 400 may begin at block 402 by disconnecting a remote thermistor from a thermistor input of a thermostat, wherein the thermostat controls an HVAC system 100 of a structure. The method 400 may continue at block 404 by positioning a clamp portion of a measurement device about an incoming power conductor for the structure, wherein the measurement device in is communication with a conditioning component. The measurement device may comprise a clamp portion and a measurement portion. In some embodiments, the measurement device and conditioning component may be contained within the same housing. The method 400 may continue at block 406 by connecting the conditioning component to the thermistor input of the thermostat via a wired interface. The wired interface may comprise a two-wire interface. The method 400 may continue at block 408 by updating the software of the thermostat to receive, process, and display the input from the conditioning component, wherein the input represents power consumption via the incoming power conductor.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a flowchart of a method 500 of operating an HVAC system such as HVAC system 100 is shown. The method 500 may begin at block 502 by providing an HVAC system controller. In some embodiments, the system controller provided may comprise a wall mountable thermostat comprising, for example, a touch screen display/interface. The method 500 may continue in block 504 by operating the HVAC system controller to receive at least one power consumption measurement from a measurement device and conditioning component via a thermistor input of the system controller. The measurement device may comprise a clamp portion and measurement portion, wherein the clamp portion may be positionable about an incoming power conductor for the structure. The method 500 may continue at block 506 by operating the HVAC system controller to process the power consumption measurement. The method 500 may continue at block 508 by operating the HVAC system controller to display the power consumption measurement. The system controller may display the power consumption measurement as instantaneous or cumulative over a period of time. Additionally, the system controller may display the power consumption measurement as kilowatt hours, kilowatt hours/year, or as a cost estimate based on local energy cost information.

FIG. 6 illustrates a typical, general-purpose processor (e.g., electronic controller or computer) system 1300 that includes a processing component 1310 suitable for implementing one or more embodiments disclosed herein. In addition to the processor 1310 (which may be referred to as a central processor unit or CPU), the system 1300 might include network connectivity devices 1320, random access memory (RAM) 1330, read only memory (ROM) 1340, secondary storage 1350, and input/output (I/O) devices 1360. In some cases, some of these components may not be present or may be combined in various combinations with one another or with other components not shown. These components might be located in a single physical entity or in more than one physical entity. Any actions described herein as being taken by the processor 1310 might be taken by the processor 1310 alone or by the processor 1310 in conjunction with one or more components shown or not shown in the drawing.

The processor 1310 executes instructions, codes, computer programs, or scripts that it might access from the network connectivity devices 1320, RAM 1330, ROM 1340, or secondary storage 1350 (which might include various disk-based systems such as hard disk, floppy disk, optical disk, or other drive). While only one processor 1310 is shown, multiple processors may be present. Thus, while instructions may be discussed as being executed by a processor, the instructions may be executed simultaneously, serially, or otherwise by one or multiple processors. The processor 1310 may be implemented as one or more CPU chips.

The network connectivity devices 1320 may take the form of modems, modem banks, Ethernet devices, universal serial bus (USB) interface devices, serial interfaces, token ring devices, fiber distributed data interface (FDDI) devices, wireless local area network (WLAN) devices, radio transceiver devices such as code division multiple access (CDMA) devices, global system for mobile communications (GSM) radio transceiver devices, worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) devices, and/or other well-known devices for connecting to networks. These network connectivity devices 1320 may enable the processor 1310 to communicate with the Internet or one or more telecommunications networks or other networks from which the processor 1310 might receive information or to which the processor 1310 might output information.

The network connectivity devices 1320 might also include one or more transceiver components 1325 capable of transmitting and/or receiving data wirelessly in the form of electromagnetic waves, such as radio frequency signals or microwave frequency signals. Alternatively, the data may propagate in or on the surface of electrical conductors, in coaxial cables, in waveguides, in optical media such as optical fiber, or in other media. The transceiver component 1325 might include separate receiving and transmitting units or a single transceiver. Information transmitted or received by the transceiver 1325 may include data that has been processed by the processor 1310 or instructions that are to be executed by processor 1310. Such information may be received from and outputted to a network in the form, for example, of a computer data baseband signal or signal embodied in a carrier wave. The data may be ordered according to different sequences as may be desirable for either processing or generating the data or transmitting or receiving the data. The baseband signal, the signal embedded in the carrier wave, or other types of signals currently used or hereafter developed may be referred to as the transmission medium and may be generated according to several methods well known to one skilled in the art.

The RAM 1330 might be used to store volatile data and perhaps to store instructions that are executed by the processor 1310. The ROM 1340 is a non-volatile memory device that typically has a smaller memory capacity than the memory capacity of the secondary storage 1350. ROM 1340 might be used to store instructions and perhaps data that are read during execution of the instructions. Access to both RAM 1330 and ROM 1340 is typically faster than to secondary storage 1350. The secondary storage 1350 is typically comprised of one or more disk drives or tape drives and might be used for non-volatile storage of data or as an over-flow data storage device if RAM 1330 is not large enough to hold all working data. Secondary storage 1350 may be used to store programs or instructions that are loaded into RAM 1330 when such programs are selected for execution or information is needed.

The I/O devices 1360 may include liquid crystal displays (LCDs), touch screen displays, keyboards, keypads, switches, dials, mice, track balls, voice recognizers, card readers, paper tape readers, printers, video monitors, transducers, sensors, or other well-known input or output devices. Also, the transceiver 1325 might be considered to be a component of the I/O devices 1360 instead of or in addition to being a component of the network connectivity devices 1320. Some or all of the I/O devices 1360 may be substantially similar to various components disclosed herein.

At least one embodiment is disclosed and variations, combinations, and/or modifications of the embodiment(s) and/or features of the embodiment(s) made by a person having ordinary skill in the art are within the scope of the disclosure. Alternative embodiments that result from combining, integrating, and/or omitting features of the embodiment(s) are also within the scope of the disclosure. Where numerical ranges or limitations are expressly stated, such express ranges or limitations should be understood to include iterative ranges or limitations of like magnitude falling within the expressly stated ranges or limitations (e.g., from about 1 to about 10 includes, 2, 3, 4, etc.; greater than 0.10 includes 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, etc.). For example, whenever a numerical range with a lower limit, R1, and an upper limit, Ru, is disclosed, any number falling within the range is specifically disclosed. In particular, the following numbers within the range are specifically disclosed: R=R1+k*(Ru−R1), wherein k is a variable ranging from 1 percent to 100 percent with a 1 percent increment, i.e., k is 1 percent, 2 percent, 3 percent, 4 percent, 5 percent, . . . 50 percent, 51 percent, 52 percent, . . . , 95 percent, 96 percent, 97 percent, 98 percent, 99 percent, or 100 percent. Moreover, any numerical range defined by two R numbers as defined in the above is also specifically disclosed. Use of the term “optionally” with respect to any element of a claim means that the element is required, or alternatively, the element is not required, both alternatives being within the scope of the claim. Use of broader terms such as comprises, includes, and having should be understood to provide support for narrower terms such as consisting of, consisting essentially of, and comprised substantially of. Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited by the description set out above but is defined by the claims that follow, that scope including all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims. Each and every claim is incorporated as further disclosure into the specification and the claims are embodiment(s) of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system, comprising: a thermostat comprising at least one thermistor input; a measurement device in communication with the thermistor input of the thermostat, the measurement device having a clamp portion and a measurement portion, the clamp portion positioned about an electrical conductor to promote the measurement, by the measurement portion, of an electric current of the electric conductor; and a conditioning component configured to convert the measured electric current, from the measurement portion, to resistance measurable by the thermostat, via the thermistor input, the thermostat having logic and a display to display information related to the measured electric current based on the converted resistance.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the clamp portion and measurement portion of the measurement device and the conditioning component are contained within the same housing.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the electric current measured from the electric conductor indicates power consumption for at least a portion of a structure.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the display of the thermostat displays information related to the power consumption for the structure.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein power consumption is displayed as instantaneous power consumption.
 6. The system of claim 4, wherein power consumption is displayed as cumulative over a time period.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the system communicates information with a home intelligence system, and the home intelligence system stores and analyzes the information indicated by the measure electric current.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the home intelligence system communicates the information with a personal device, such as a computer or mobile device.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the measurement device and conditioning component are retrofitted to the system and replace an existing thermistor in communication with the thermostat via the thermistor input.
 10. A heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system, comprising: a measurement system having: a clamp portion configured to be positionable about an electric conductor; a measurement portion configured to measure electric current from the electric conductor; and a conditioning component configured to convert the measured electric current to resistance for output to a 10 k thermistor input; wherein the measurement system is operable to communicate the resistance to a thermistor input of a thermostat.
 11. The system of claim 10 further comprising a wired interface attached to the conditioning component, wherein one end of the wired interface is configured to attach to a thermistor input of a thermostat.
 12. The system of claim 10 further comprising multiple clamp portions configured to be positionable about multiple electric conductors.
 13. The system of claim 10 further comprising multiple measurement devices operable to communicate with the same thermostat, wherein the multiple measurement devices are operable to communicate different resistance measurements to the thermostat.
 14. The system of claim 10 wherein the resistance relates to a power consumption measurement associated with the electric conductor.
 15. The system of claim 14 wherein software of the thermostat is operable to receive, process, and display the resistance as a power consumption measurement.
 16. A thermostat comprising: at least one thermistor input; logic to receive and process resistance measurements via the at least one thermistor input; and a display operable to present information communicated via the thermistor input; wherein the thermostat is operable, via the logic and display, to process and display resistance measurements to indicate power consumption for at least a portion of a structure.
 17. The thermostat of claim 16, wherein the power consumption is displayed as kilowatt hours.
 18. The thermostat of claim 16, wherein the power consumption is displayed as a cost estimate of the power consumption, and wherein the thermostat is operable to receive energy cost information from an energy provider.
 19. The thermostat of claim 16, wherein the power consumption is displayed as an instantaneous measurement.
 20. The thermostat of claim 16, wherein the power consumption is displayed as a cumulative measurement over a set time period. 